Cymru’s journey to 2025 UEFA Women’s EURO play-offs

Cymru have reached the UEFA Women’s EURO play-offs for the first time and are aiming to create history.

Rhian Wilkinson’s side topped their group after going the qualifying campaign unbeaten, securing a return to Group A in the UEFA Women’s Nations League in the process.

Cymru now face Slovakia in the play-off semi-final, which will be played over two legs, as they look to reach the finals of a women’s major tournament for the first time.

It was a qualifying campaign which saw records broken, first goals scored and history made, so we’ve taken a look back at Cymru’s journey to the play-offs.

Cymru 4-0 Croatia – 5 April 2024

With just five weeks to prepare for her first game in charge of Cymru following her appointment as head coach, it was a busy period for Wilkinson in the lead up to her opening qualifier against Croatia.

Jess Fishlock gave Cymru a dream start to the qualifying campaign after breaking the deadlock after four minutes at the STōK Cae Ras.

Fishlock headed home her second four minutes into the second half to double the advantage before Rachel Rowe added a third for Cymru two minutes after the restart.

Angharad James then got on the end of Gemma Evans’ long ball forward to finish from a tight angle, as Wilkinson’s side secured an emphatic win.

Kosovo 0-6 Cymru – 9 April 2024

Cymru had made an impressive start to the qualifying campaign four days earlier and followed it up with a ruthless performance against Kosovo.

Rowe fired in her second in back-to-back games following neat build up from Fishlock, who then set up Kayleigh Barton to double Cymru’s lead.

Rowe then added her second with a strike from range on the hour mark before she teed up Ffion Morgan, who netted her first Cymru goal two minutes later.

Mayzee Davies was then sent on for her first senior appearance and Elise Hughes completed a brace of her own late on to ensure Cymru signed off the camp with back-to-back victories.

Cymru 1-1 Ukraine – 31 May 2024

Cymru were looking to pick up where they left off in April but Ukraine provided a stern test at Parc y Scarlets.

Veronika Andrukhiv pounced on a loose ball to put the away side ahead with three minutes on the clock in what was their only effort on target in Llanelli.

Cymru replied from the penalty spot just after the hour mark after Ceri Holland’s shot was blocked by Olha Basanska’s arm, allowing Barton to convert from 12 yards.

Cymru enjoyed 72% possession throughout and had opportunities to win the game in the second half but were unable to make them count as Ukraine held out and the points were shared.

Ukraine 2-2 Cymru – 4 June 2024

Cymru started on the front font in the reverse fixture four days later but saw Ukraine take the lead on the break as Yana Kalinina netted the opening goal after half-hour.

Cymru responded well after going behind but it wasn’t until the 74th minute until they drew level when Barton was dragged down in the area. Barton stepped up to score the penalty by rifling into the roof of the net.

Fishlock then found the top corner with a wonder strike from 25 yards two minutes later.

It looked as though Cymru would be remaining at the top of the qualifying group before substitute Nicole Kozlova headed home in the seventh minute of stoppage time to secure a point for Ukraine.

Croatia 0-3 Cymru – 12 July 2024

Cymru knew the opportunity of finishing top of the group was still in their own hands heading into their final two games, and began with a convincing win over Croatia in Karlovac.

Fishlock drew level as Cymru’s top goalscorer – equalling Helen Ward’s record of 44 goals – when she rifled home the opening goal to put Wilkinson’s side ahead in the first half.

Sophie Ingle then tapped home the second off the inside of the post just after the hour mark.

Cymru were then awarded a penalty with two minutes left on the clock when Holland’s cross hit Nevrkla’s arm, and Barton made no mistake from the spot as Wilkinson’s side moved to the top of the group.

Cymru 2-0 Kosovo – 16 July 2024

The final fixture saw Cymru finish the qualifying campaign unbeaten with a 2-0 victory over Kosovo.

It was a historic evening at Parc y Scarlets for Fishlock as she became Cymru’s record goalscorer with her 45th goal, eclipsing the record previously held by Helen Ward.

She gave Wilkinson’s side a perfect start as she got on the end of Carrie Jones’ smart through ball and curled home after eight minutes.

Cymru scored their second 19 minutes later when Fishlock saw her shot come back off the post before Mary McAteer tapped home her first international goal.

It brought to an end a successful first qualifying campaign in charge for Wilkinson as Cymru topped their group with an unbeaten record and moved back to League A in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.